Pioneer Railcorp purchases rail line from Maumee & Western Railroad

The newly acquired line will be operated as the Michigan Southern Railroad Company (MSO). The MSO will operate approximately 51 miles of track from Woodburn, Ind., to Liberty Center, Ohio.

Mike Carr, president and CEO of Pioneer Railcorp, said, "We have purchased this line with the knowledge that it is in dire need of rehabilitation due to years of deferred maintenance. Our objective is to rehabilitate the line in order to provide consistent freight rail service to all current and potential shippers utilizing the line. We also plan to restore two sections of track, from Napoleon to Liberty Center and west of Defiance to Cecil, that would offer all shippers on the line connections to multiple Class 1 carriers for more competitive access to the North American rail system. We intend to explore all options available to complete these objectives as quickly and efficiently as possible."